So, you have your heart set on a new Jaecoo J7? We totally get it. It's a great-looking SUV and it has much to offer drivers of all ages.
The J7 also boasts Land Rover heritage - Jaecoo didn't just copy the design; Tata Motors which owns Jaguar Land Rover, has a joint venture with Chery in China and they each have a 50% stake.
We attended the launch (read our Jaecoo J7 First Drive Review) and also had it on test recently - you can read all about it in Ryno's full J7 review of the Glacier model.
So, will it be suitable for someone who just got their drivers' licence?
What makes a car good for a new drivers?
Safety
Safety is paramount, and if the 5-star ANCAP rating isn't a good-enough selling point, the extensive safety specification list will probably persuade you to buy one.
Is the Jaecoo J7 a safe car? Check out all its safety features here.
Value for money and low running costs
Usually starter cars do not include SUVs with a price tag of R550k and over, but some new drivers are fortunate enough to have enough money, or parents or a spouse who can afford to buy a brand new SUV for them. The J7 offers great value in this respect with everything but the kitchen sink thrown in as standard.
Related: Jaecoo J7 vs Kia Seltos vs Suzuki Grand Vitara - running cost comparison
The J7 also offers enough power from its 1.6-litre turbocharged engine to overtake slower traffic without hassle, but fuel consumption during the launch route and road test came to about 7.3 to 8 litres per 100 km which is quite good, considering the zesty powerplant.
Read more about the J7's performance.
Ease of use
Good visibility, all-round user-friendliness and a smooth drive all contribute to how easy and pleasant it is for new drivers to drive a car. While the more-technically inclined person may complain about the automatic gearbox not being smooth enough due to incorrect mapping, it's not something that will be that noticeable or bother the average consumer much.
Younger drivers won't be deterred by all the on-board tech either (the mammoth central touchscreen is a real bonus!) - in fact, they will probably welcome it and find it relatively straightforward to use. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto also take care of most in-car tech needs, from an infotainment perspective.
Top 3 things you need to know about the J7
Take a look at the local J7 lineup below:
| Model | Price (incl. VAT) |
| Jaecoo J7 1.6T Vortex | from R 549 900 |
| Jaecoo J7 1.6T Glacier | from R 599 900 |
| Jaecoo J7 1.6T Inferno AWD | from R 679 900 |
Here's how much repayments will be on a new Jaecoo J7.
Verdict
One could perhaps argue that it's almost a little too well-equipped on the driver assistance technology side, with things that beep incessantly that you cannot switch off. My colleagues, Lawrence and Ryno, reported that the tech that tracks your eyes has many niggles that still need to be ironed out. For example, wearing sunglasses renders the Distracted Driver feature a bit confused, and if you turn your head the system will beep incessantly, accusing you of being distracted. It may feel like Big Brother is watching you just a little too closely.
Related: Which is the best variant of the Jaecoo J7?
If you can live with this irritation on a daily basis there's no reason to avoid the J7 if you have your heart set on it, but personally, I would go to Hello Peter to find out how customers have been treated by Chery, and their sub-brands, Omoda and Jaecoo, before making a final decision. One thing that does put a. new driver's mind at ease, is the 1-million-kilometre engine warranty, but be advised that this is only valid for the FIRST owner.
If you'd rather play it safe with an established brand, the Ford Territory in 1.8T Ambiente trim will set you back R576 000.
We also recommend taking the Jaecoo J7 on a proper test drive, to ensure it's exactly what you want and what you'll be able to live with for the next couple of years. We are also not sure how it will be affected by depreciation just yet, as it is simply too new.
ENDS.
